Abarth, terkenal dengan kenderaan prestasi tinggi, telah memperkenalkan versi dipertingkatkan daripada Fiat 600e elektrik, memaparkan peningkatan kuasa yang ketara dan estetik yang lebih agresif.
Ditampilkan dalam penampilannya yang menarik sebagai edisi pelancaran Scorpionissima, Fiat 600e yang mengagumkan telah menarik perhatian selepas dikesan semasa sesi penggambaran komersial, dengan hanya 1949 unit yang dijadualkan untuk pengeluaran.
Walaupun butiran teknikal seperti konfigurasi pemanduan dan spesifikasi bateri masih dirahsiakan, Fiat 600e elektrik berjanji untuk memberikan keseronokan dengan differential terhad mekanikal dan output kuasa yang menakjubkan sebanyak 240hp.
Peningkatan kuasa ini menetapkan 600e sebagai Abarth yang paling berkuasa yang pernah dicipta, mempunyai peningkatan 84hp yang hebat berbanding rakan sejawatannya dari Fiat.
Sementara mengekalkan potensi untuk prestasi elektrik yang memukau, 600e mungkin mewarisi baterinya dari kereta asal Fiat, dilengkapi dengan unit ion litium kobalt mangan nikel 54 kWh. Namun, disebabkan motor yang mengeluarkan lebih banyak kuasa, pengurangan sedikit dalam julat dijangka berbanding dengan julat 400km Fiat 600e pada kitaran WLTP.
Abarth, renowned for its high-performance vehicles, has unleashed a tuned-up version of the electric Fiat 600e, showcasing a significant boost in power and a more aggressive aesthetic.
Displayed in its striking Scorpionissima launch edition guise, the electrifying Fiat 600e has captured attention after being spotted during a commercial shoot, with just 1949 units slated for production.
Although technical details such as drive configuration and battery specifications remain under wraps, the electric 600e promises to deliver thrills with a mechanical limited-slip differential and an impressive power output of 240hp.
This power surge establishes the 600e as the most potent Abarth ever crafted, boasting a formidable 84hp increase over its Fiat counterpart.
Fiat 600e
While maintaining the potential for electrifying performance, the 600e may inherit its battery from the Fiat donor car, equipped with a 54kWh nickel manganese cobalt lithium-ion unit. However, due to the higher-output motors, a slight reduction in range is anticipated compared to the Fiat 600e’s 400km range on the WLTP cycle.
Motoring enthusiasts often talk about driving as an emotional thing and while there are various kinds of emotions – stress, fear, anger – it is often the emotion of pleasure that is publicised. ‘Driving’ pleasure is often mentioned as what can be experienced from a new car and advertisements play it up in different ways.
Going together with driving pleasure for sportscars is also the sound of the engine and exhaust – a growl or a roar or even a crackle – and it is what gets the adrenaline flowing faster. The ultimate sound comes from racing cars which, not being restricted by regulations for vehicles used on public roads, are typically louder.
With electrically-powered cars, there is no combustion engine, no exhaust pipe – and therefore no sound. Environmentalists are happy with the prospect of roads becoming quieter in future as more electric vehicles (EVs) travel on them. But for those who have always loved driving and the pleasure it gives, the absence of engine and exhaust sound is a huge loss. The silence, as the saying goes, is ‘deafening’.
Abarth, part of the Stellantis Group, was originally the performance brand of Fiat, which had acquired the company in 1971. From then on, the company (which was established in 1949) adapted Fiat models to be higher performance variants which were sold under its own brand name. An exception was the 124 Spider produced between 2015 and 2019.which was adapted from the 4th generation Mazda MX-5.
Like AMG and M GmbH, the performance brands of Mercedes-Benz and BMW, Abarth has also to start its electrification journey as the auto industry as a whole has committed towards carbon neutrality over the next few decades. Even companies like Ferrari and Lamborghini have been forced to start switching to zero emissions powertrains whether they like to or not.
With the new 500e, Abarth offers its first battery electric vehicle (BEV) which is adapted from the Fiat 500e which went on sale in early 2020. However, being a performance brand, Abarth has not just taken the Fiat model and out on its badge, which is characterized by a scorpion. Just as Porsche and BMW M made sure that their electric models have high performance worthy of their badges, Abarth has also given its version an extra measure of performance.
During the second half of the 1970s, one Fiat model stood out in the World Rally Championship (WRC) and other international rallies. It was the 131 Rally, a specially-built sedan for competition jointly produced by Fiat, Abarth and Bertone. 400 units were built to meet homologation requirements and Abarth mechanicals were installed in them.
The 131 Abarth Rally debuted in 1976 as a Group 4 entry and its track record up till the early 1980s has put it in history books as one of the legends of rallying. It ran for 6 years in the WRC, with victories at 18 international events, and captured 3 World Constructors Championship titles. Legendary drivers Markku Alen and Walter Rohrl also won their championship titles driving the car.
This year, on the 40th anniversary of its last race, special tribute is paid to the 131 Abarth Rally with the Abarth 695 Tributo 131 Rally special series. This is a limited edition with a production run of 695 units which will be available worldwide.
225 km/h top speed
The Abarth 695 Tributo 131 Rally has a 1.4-litre T-jet engine which develops 180 bhp/250 Nm to rocket the car from standstill to 100 km/h in a claimed 6.7 seconds, after which it can continue on to a top speed of 225 km/h.
For this special edition, Abarth has installed Koni FSD shock absorbers on both axles and a dedicated braking system which includes aluminium Brembo calipers and 4 pistons on the front and 305 mm and 240 mm ventilated discs on the rear.
Record Monza sound system
The special equipment list includes black 17-inch alloy wheels with a diamond-cut finish and the ‘Record Monza Sovrapposto’ exhaust system – an evolution on the Record Monza system, now with four vertically overlaid terminals. The Record Monza exhaust system is named after the famous Italian circuit where Carlo Abarth achieved one of the many speed records of his racing career. The exhaust system features dual-mode technology and tailpipes that together create the unique and unmistakable Abarth sound.
The variable rear spoiler
The Abarth 695 Tributo 131 Rally naturally comes with the Spoiler ad Assetto Variabile, an aerodynamic feature which Abarth engineers developed. Just like in a race, where it is not unusual to see technicians manually fine-tune the spoiler angle so the driver can set the car’s behaviour to suit the conditions and driving style, the spoiler fitted to the car is adjustable to 12 positions. These positions range from 0° to 60°, influencing airflow in such a way that cornering stability can be improved. At the maximum a 60° angle and at a speed of 200 km/h, the aerodynamic downforce load increases by up to 42 kgs.
The 131 Abarth Rally in the colours of Italy’s Alitalia airlines which was a major sponsor of Fiat’s competition teams.
While the 131 Abarth Rally cars are often remembered for their green, red and white colours – which were from Alitalia, one of the main partners of Fiat’s motorsport teams – the Abarth 695 Tributo 131 Rally has a bicolour 3-layer ‘Blue Rally’ glossy livery, which reinterprets another its original colour on some of the rallycars in a contemporary manner.
‘Easter Eggs’ around the car
This is the first Scorpion vehicle which contains ‘Easter Eggs’ – tiny stylistic ‘gems’ which the designers hide to surprise customers. Some examples: the silhouette of the 131 Rally engraved on the lower part of the car door, on the Alcantara dashboard and on the headrests of the new seats.
Specifically for the 695 cars, the livery is embellished with a roof and uprights in black Scorpion Black. The same blue can be found on the mirror caps and some details in the interiors. The sporty image is further emphasised by the Sabelt fabric seats with blue inserts and stitching inspired by those of the historic car but reinterpreted in a modern way.
Abarth is an old name in the European car industry, with a history going back to 1949. It was an independent company back in the days when even small companies could do okay even with small volumes. But by the 1970s, as competition increased, it was a challenge if you didn’t have sufficient size and so Abarth was taken in by the Fiat group where it has remained to this day (continuing its existence in the Stellantis Group).
Historically, Abarth has been a performance brand (and this was long before such a term came into use). After all, founder Carlo Abarth was sporting director of the Cisitalia factory racing team which ceased operations and led to him founding the company. Later, when acquired by Fiat, Abarth was responsible for motorsport activities to make use of its long experience.
Strong presence in motorsports
The 1960s were probably the period the brand was well known in motorsports, having a presence in sportscar racing and hillclimbs and challenginf Porsche and Ferrari. One of the sportscars from this period of its history was the Abarth 1000 SP. This was an ambitious and revolutionary project where the ‘SP’ indicated Sports Prototype, a covered-wheel car made exclusively to compete in racing competitions, with few models actually built.
Built in 1966, the car was a light and powerful spider featuring simple, low and streamlined shapes. The technical and stylistic excellence of this car soon led to an outstanding series of victories – both for teams and private customers – which further contributed to reinforcing the Abarth brand’s sporting prestige.
Although few cars were built, the story of the Abarth 1000 SP did not end in the 1960s. In 2009, Abarth and Alfa Romeo (also in the Fiat empire) renewed their bond and looked at how to expand the range of the Abarth brand. Various alternatives were considered, including that of a reinterpretation of the 1000 SP involving the creation of a medium-sized sportscar with an attractive silhouette and essential lines
2013 Alfa Romeo 4c
The Alfa Romeo 4C
This concept – a light car with an excellent weight/power ratio – became the basis of two distinct projects, which were developed in parallel. The first was that of the new Abarth 1000 SP, while the second focussed on another car which would soon continue the tradition of Alfa Romeo sportscars: the 4C. The Alfa Romeo 4C went into production but the 1000 SP project remained at the draft stage.
In 2021, the modern 1000 SP has finally been built, albeit as just one unit. The new Abarth 1000 SP project was shaped fully in line with its forerunner – the points and lines of the original car’s design have been respected, to ensure continuity between the sportscar of the 1960s and the concept car of the new millennium. In between lay the creative process and the rediscovery of an ambitious idea.
A ‘remastering’ operation
The spark for the revival of the old project came from the same mathematics as the prototype imagined in 2009, subjected to a ‘remastering’ operation to advance and perfect the car’s ultimate design. Furthermore, it would also be an evolution of the Alfa Romeo 4C, benefitting from another decade of technological advancements,
The 2021 1000 SP is an organically balanced car, in which three key design principles that were embedded in the original model of the 1960s have been respected – its lightness; the aerodynamics; and ergonomics. And being a sportscar, this concept is embodied in the optimisation of vehicle control, and how one ‘feels at ease’ on board, in terms of spacial and dimensional perception, and of driveability.
Echoes of ancestor
All three elements have played a fundamental role in the design of this one-off car. The lines and aesthetic elements that shaped its ancestor echo strongly in the new 1000 SP which also echoes the layout of the central-engined spider. The cockpit windscreen, which protects even the tallest drivers from strong airflow, boasts the famous sculpted side deflectors, with a low profile sweeping up towards the roll-bar. The roll-bar is deliberately exposed, further underlining that fact that that this is a genuine spider.
The rear geometries emphasise the perfect harmony between the back headlights and exhausts, and also the open slots for engine cooling which were present on its ancestor. The paintwork is categorically red and the characteristic air intakes appear all over the car body. The lights too respect the minimalist scheme of the historic 1000 SP, with point-like headlamps on the nose and a single pair of round headlights at the back, to emphasise the car’s width.
Under the “skin”, the tubular frame of the historic Sport Prototype is replaced by a hybrid frame with the central cell in carbonfibre and the front in aluminium. This helps keep the car’s dry weight to just 1,074 kgs.
Like the Alfa Romeo 4C. the 1000 SP also has a powerful 1.8-litre supercharged 4-cylinder aluminium central engine. This is tuned to deliver up to 240 bhp, giving a top speed capability of over 250 km/h.
Before the COVID-19 pandemic made lockdowns a part of life, some car companies were exploring retail activities online. They had their websites and as customers’ needs changed, they provided the necessary features and functions on their website to meet those needs. Then came the lockdowns and suddenly, customers could not visit showrooms so the online ‘business’ accelerated. ‘Contactless’ interactions were promoted, and unless absolutely necessary, the customer didn’t have to be at the showroom.
While a lot of information can be presented online, the one thing that is important to some customers is the test-drive. For this, they have to go to the showroom or as many companies are doing now, the salesman can bring the vehicle over. In spite of advanced simulators available that even make e-racing possible, it seems that this is something that the auto industry has still to provide.
First in the world
Nevertheless, Abarth (part of the new Stellantis Group) Abarth is first car brand in the world to offer ‘test drives’ from the comfort and safety of a customer’s home. They can experience a ‘test drive’ in the new limited edition Abarth 595 Scorpioneoro, a limited edition model with only 2,000 units available globally.
The ‘test drive’ takes place on iconic driving roads in North Wales, hand-picked by Abarthisti as some of the best driving roads in the UK. While nothing will ever compare with test driving an actual car in the real world, the VR ‘test drive’ provides customers and their families a fully immersive alternative.
Undergoing trial in England first
For now, the virtual test-drive is undergoing a trial with one Abarth dealership in the UK offering it. If this initial trial, which began yesterday, proves successful, it could be rolled out to additional retailers across the UK.
During the trial period, an expert representative from the dealership will deliver an Abarth crate to the front door of the customer (taking into account all government SOPs). Inside the crate will be the VR headset pre-loaded with the ‘test drive’ footage and a pair of Bose headphones to ensure customers can fully experience the famous growl of the Abarth exhaust. Abarth-branded items including a Bluetooth speaker and baseball cap are also included. In addition, a brochure is included providing drivers with all the detail they need on the Abarth range.
Guidance by automotive influencer
When ‘drivers’ put the headset on they will be greeted by Abarth owner and automotive influencer, Stef Villaverde, who will host and guide them on the virtual experience. Stef will give customers all of the key product information about the car before taking them on a ‘drive’ of some of the UK’s best driving roads.
The VR experience transports viewers ‘seated’ in the Italian sportscar instantly to the sweeping bends of the Great Orme, the lakeside vista of Llyn Ogwen and off-road adventures on Black Rock Sands. These roads were specifically chosen by Abarth’s online community of owners who deemed North Wales to be the prime spot to experience an Abarth.
With the uncertainty around ever-changing restrictions, business closures and other measures to combat the pandemic, the VR experience gives customers the opportunity to enjoy the thrill of ‘driving‘ an Abarth while staying in the comfort and safety of their home.
It’s been 70 years since Carlo Abarth founded Abarth & C., following the collapse of Cisitalia where he worked as a sporting director of the factory racing team. From acquiring the assets of Cisitalia, he was able to build some racing cars and then began the business of producing and selling accessories and performance parts for Fiats, Lancias and other Italian cars. In 1951, his company allied itself with Fiat and Abarth cars began to have a presence on racing tracks.
Abarth & C. was sold to Fiat in 1971 and eventually came to be the Fiat Group’s racing department. It prepared well known rallycars like the Fiat 124 Abarth Rally and 131 Abarth, and was also involved in the development of the Lancia Beta Montecarlo Turbo Group 5 racing car which won the 1980 World Championship for Makes and the 1981 World Endurance Championship of Makes.
This month, Abarth (now an independent unit in the Fiat Group) celebrates the 70th anniversary of the original company’s founding with the new Abarth 695 70th Anniversario special edition. Only 1,949 units will be produced, priced at £29,695 (about RM153,300) in the UK.
Manually adjustable rear spoiler
The 70th Anniversario edition is equipped with the new ‘Spoiler ad Assetto Variabile’ for improved grip and stability at high speeds and increases overall performance. The spoiler is manually adjustable, just like in races of old where it was not uncommon to see the pit mechanics make adjustments to allow the driver to change the set-up of the car according to the track. It can be adjusted in 12 different positions between zero and 60 degrees. In the maximum setting, the spoiler increases the aerodynamic load by up to 42 kgs at a speed of 200 km/h, greatly improving vehicle dynamics and stability.
The manually adjustable rear spoiler at maximum and minimum angles to increase or decrease downforce over the rear end.
The new ‘Spoiler ad Assetto Variabile’ is a tribute to the founder’s performance focus, which went beyond the quest for pure power, top speed and acceleration, focusing on the search and development of innovative technical solutions. It is precisely this continuous research that made him one of the pioneers and visionaries in the field of tuning.
The new Abarth 695 70th Anniversario was tested in the full-scale wind tunnel located in Orbassano, south of Turin, where Abarth tests all its vehicles. The facility was built in the 1970s and has been continually updated to implement the latest technologies. This is the only wind tunnel in Italy, capable of allowing full-scale testing and high air speeds of up to 210 km/h.
Exclusive features on bodywork
On its bodywork,, the Abarth 695 70th Anniversario features some iconic style cues from the past and present such as the Monza 1958 green livery, a tribute to the colour of the first 500 Abarth that set 6 international records at Monza. Campovolo grey details, an exclusive body kit, mirror caps, scorpion decals on the bonnet and the chequered sticker on the roof complete the look.
The 17-inch SuperSport alloy wheels and red Brembo brake calipers are also standard. The Brembo brakes are fitted with 4-piston aluminium calipers and 305 mm discs at the front and 240 mm discs at the rear, both self-ventilated. The Record Monza exhaust, limited slip differential and Xenon headlights are also standard fitment for every car.
Inside, there are exclusive ‘Sabelt Tricolore’ seats developed specifically for this special edition. Each of the 1,949 units will have a numbered plaque, making the 695 70th Anniversario an authentic collectable.
The 1.4-litre turbocharged petrol engine delivers 180 bhp/250Nm and enables the car to reach a claimed 223 km/h top speed after accelerating from 0 to 100 km/h in 6.7 seconds.
Manuals. Manual Tranny. Sticks. Stick Shifts. Three Pedals. Call them what you will but chances are you’ll be calling them out in futile. As more and more consumers opt for the ubiquitous automatic-transmission, the good ‘ol manual transmission seems to be going the way of the dodo bird… hell, you can even apply for an ‘auto-only’ drivers license now.
Apart from the first and second national car makers, you’d be hard-pressed to find a ‘new’ manual transmission’d car these days, thus along with countless others, I often scour the online classifieds for used ones. Sentras and Corolla SE’s (above) have been piquing my interest lately…
Even Porsche, despite its famed PDK, realised the allure of a manual transmission, and offered it as an option in its 911 Carrera T (above) overseas, but of course, it’s unlikely we’ll ever get one here. So it seems, in the new car segment, unless you’re willing to fork out buku-bucks for a Honda Civic Type-R or Toyota GT86 (or this bad boy above), there’s not much to be had.
But all is not lost, because just like its main rival the Mazda MX-5, the Abarth 124 GT (above) does come with a good old-fashioned 6-speed manual transmission! Here’s the story and photos from AutoExpress UK… (click link for full article)
There’s a new range-topping version of the Abarth 124. The GT is limited to just 50 units in the UK, and the most striking thing that sets it apart from the regular model is its hard top roof. The new carbon fibre lid weighs just 16kg, and Abarth claims that it adds a little structural rigidity to the open-top chassis – and more body control as a result. It houses a heated glass rear screen too which, being wider than the one you get with the standard fabric hood, makes the GT easier to see out of. The roof is removable, so if you still want to enjoy open air thrills, it’s just a few screws (and a cleared space in the garage) away.
The engine is unchanged from the regular Abarth 124, so there’s 168bhp to play with from the a 1.4-litre turbo engine. It’s at its best in the mid-range – there isn’t a huge incentive to rev it to the red line as you would in the Mazda, and the engine feels tardy when it’s off boost. However, it’ll crack 0-100kmh in under 7-seconds, and 45mpg real-world fuel economy is entirely achievable. It’s mated to a wonderful six speed gearbox, and pedals which are well positioned for heel-and-toe downshifts. For the full article click here.
